Page:The Book of Scottish Song.djvu/180

162

[—Air, "Good-morrow to your nightcap."—This song had the honour of being quoted in the "Noctes Ambrosianæ" of Blackwood, in terms of high commendation, by the redoubted Christopher North.]

THE ANSWER.

I behave, can I behave.

Can I behave before folk.

When, wily elf, your sleeky self

Gars me gang gyte before folk?

In a' you do, in a' ye say,

Ye've sic a pawkie coaxing way,

That my poor wits ye lead astray,

An' ding me doilt before folk!

Can I behave, can I behave,

Can I behave before folk.

While ye ensnare, can I forbear

To kiss you, though before folk?

Can I behold that dimpling cheek,

Wliar love 'mang sunny smiles might beek,

Yet, howlet-like, my e'elids steek,

An' shun sic light, before folk?

Can I behave, can I behave.

Can I behave before folk.

When ilka smile becomes a wile.

Enticing me—before folk?

That lip, like Eve's forbidden fruit,

Sweet, plump, an' ripe, sae tempts me to't,

That I maun pree't, though I should rue't,

Ay, twenty times—before folk!